Our purpose

The Centre for Family Justice Research is committed to ensuring that family law and policy in Canada reflect the lives of the people they affect. By bringing together social scientific research and legal frameworks, we work to close the gap between policy and lived experience. By working with researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders, we translate and mobilise research in ways that shape equitable policies and practices for Canadian families navigating the justice system. We believe that good research should do more than inform. It should drive change and remain openly accessible to the families and communities it impacts most.

Our values

  • Our independence from government and political interests allows us to pursue honest, objective lines of inquiry that are guided by evidence, not agenda.

  • We hold ourselves to the highest standards of research excellence, producing work that is credible and built to withstand scrutiny.

  • We are committed to centring the voices of those most affected by family law and policy, recognising that justice must be accessible to all, not just those with means.

  • We work alongside researchers, legal practitioners, policymakers, and communities, knowing that lasting change is built through partnership, not in isolation.

  • We believe research only fulfils its purpose when it reaches beyond academia. We are committed to translating findings into real, tangible improvements for Canadian families.